Nigeria stands to lose up to $11 billion annually in potential economic growth due to a widening digital skills gap, according to the Chairman of the Sector Skills Council for Information and Communications Technology, Mr. Shola Oshilaja.
Speaking through the Council’s Secretary, Mr. Chukwuemeka Okafor, at the 21st anniversary of the Digital Bridge Institute (DBI) in Abuja, Oshilaja emphasized the urgent need to prepare Nigeria’s workforce for the demands of the digital economy.
“In Nigeria, the digital skills gap could cost our economy an estimated $11 billion annually in lost growth opportunities,” he said. “The question before us is clear: how do we prepare Nigeria’s workforce not just for today’s market but for tomorrow’s?”
Citing the World Economic Forum, Oshilaja noted that by 2027, 69% of global companies are expected to accelerate the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI), potentially displacing 85 million jobs while creating 97 million new ones. He called for comprehensive policy reforms, integration of digital skills such as coding, cybersecurity, and AI into school curricula, and the institutionalization of work-based learning through internships and apprenticeships.
He also urged the creation of a National ICT Skills Framework aligned with global standards to guide Nigeria’s digital workforce development, and
encouraged government agencies to harmonize regulations and incentivize private sector investment in digital training.Meanwhile, Dr. David Daser, President of the DBI, announced that the Federal Government plans to train five million Nigerian workers in AI across public and private sectors over the next three years. According to him, the initiative has already begun and enjoys strong backing from President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, and the Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communications Commission, Dr. Aminu Maida.
“We have a strong foundation and durable infrastructure to build upon. The future is not just bright, it is solid,” Daser said. He described this year’s theme, Preparing Today’s Workforce for Tomorrow’s Market, as timely, emphasizing the urgent need for readiness in emerging technologies such as AI, 5G, the Internet of Things (IoT), and cybersecurity.
Daser also highlighted DBI’s recent achievements, including partnerships with Small Business Training Solutions Group, the launch of the Global Training Partner Programme in Lagos, successful training cohorts with Sightsavers in Kano and Lagos, and the commissioning of a new Information Access Centre.
Despite facing challenges in the past—such as staff salary delays and infrastructure decay—Daser said the institute has made a strong recovery and is moving forward with renewed focus and commitment.
